Some of you know I connected with a new showroom early this year, which was very exciting for me. I’ve been working on my leads and trying to put together some marketing strategy (which I’m pi
poor at, by the way).
The last couple of months several things have happened to make me re-assess my situation.&
#160;The hubs has a couple weeks of post-surgery recovery left before he can go back to work, my biggest project will likely get bumped back a month or more, and one of my cabinet suppliers ticked off my builder so much that I have lost the 4 houses I had lined up for the last quarter to the building supply company. No other leads will be coming to fruition this year. I don’t draw anything but commission from the showroom, so my sources of income are now gone and so are my savings.
I’ve been looking for some sort of employment that would let me work and still pursue kitchen design with my new showroom, but had no luck. I’ve applied for work for which I was perfectly suited and couldn’t even get an interview or a turn down letter. I guess I can chalk the latter up to the general lack of business etiquette out there today, but I’m concerned that my resume is out of whack.
Now 2 opportunities have come up in actual kitchen design, and I plan to go after them with all I’ve got. I know some of you out there do the actual hiring for your companies, so I’m hoping some of you will take a look and give me your feedback.
All comments are welcome – if there’s something wrong with what I’m sending out I desperately need to know what it is and how to fix it.
I can’t think of any better reviewers than those of you who work in related fields.
Thanks!
Replies
DW just had her resume reviewed & rebuilt by a pro company and they said to drop the objective entirely.
Good luck on your search.
I looked at several resume resources and most had those stupid objective lines that I've never liked. But, seeing them on all those examples, I kept mine. I'm glad to know someone else thinks they're unnecessary.
Thanks for your input and good wishes!
I was going to suggest a rewrite of the Objective summary too. Yours isn't bad but a simple statement sent along with the resume basically sums it up: I want the job you are offering!
I'd agree with John. There is no need for this statment and 90% of the ones I read are nonsensical. At least yours was readable and I didn't feel the need to locate the vomit bag. Sorry for the harsh visual there but those flowery "objectives" just turn me off big time.
I also would question the need for the 7 month stint with the realtor. I see it seems to indicate some organization ability or ability to invoice according to QBs but I think your summary of skills also covers that. I'd maybe think about eliminating that time frame not only because it seems relatively insignificant, but also because it condenses the resume that much more. I wouldn't leave a hole but I'd probably just smooth over the start stop dates a bit. After all, anything past last year is ancient history anyways.
My opinion is that I would like your resume even if you didn't change a word of it and I have strong opinions about resumes. I'm quite critical but will usually overlook bad ones if the right experience is being laid out. If someone wants someone with your experience, your resume looks excellent.
I agree with you on the objective lines. I've seen so many resumes with objectives that try to summarize the person's entire life, and what should be a simple statement becomes a paragraph!
I left in the realtor job, although I don't usually include it in the resume I use for kitchen work. Since it was something I was doing for steady income and concurrent with my design work, I could leave it out with no problem.
Although it would leave a gap during which time I was truly unemployed, I have considered leaving out the Home Depot stint, too. There's nothing even remotely flattering I can say about my time there. I was a drudge for them, and a potential employer can't check with an individual store anyway. They would have to go through the main HR person, who would then read off my list of offenses, such as not going to lunch at the appointed time as I was with a customer!
I wasn't entirely unemployed, as I did a little work for the architectural firm on an as-needed basis after I was laid off. Would it be better if I included that and left out the HD time??
Thanks for both your posts and your good wishes. I truly do value your opinion on this!
Also, somewhere in your preamble memo, try to indicate some excitement about the job duties.
Good luck. Have faith...good things happen to good people!
some more from DW after she saw your resume:
Drop the months from the work experience and just list the years.
The objective has been dropped since they all know you're looking for a job but sometimes it can pigeon-hole you into something they don't have but your skill set may apply to something else they have open. So in place of the objective, use bullet points to list your skill set.
Also most companies now won't bother with rejection letters, maybe an e-mail, but probably not.
I had started a draft for a resume based on an outline that was pretty much bullet points, but I never finished it. I'll re-visit that and see what I can do. It was much easier to read and to the point.
Except for the commercial design work, where I could be bidding between 75-200k worth of furnishings and millwork, most of my kitchen work is moderately priced, especially because I only do cabinetry and not tops, fixtures, etc. I also don't have the lines for the big budget projects, and I honestly don't seek them out. My forte is dream kitchens for the average Joe, I guess.
I like to think that I save all my clients money, and my budgets are generally an estimate with the actual figure worked out between my customer and me as we develop the design. In that way, it's a lot different from construction and other occupations.
I'll work on finding some other aspects that I can highlight.
Love to hear that I could drop the months - they're such a pain!
You know, I get that even big corporations are busy, but years ago it was considered poor business practice for someone not to at least acknowledge your resume,even with just a form letter.
Nowadays job seekers can't be bothered to send their thanks to people who took time to interview them. And from what I saw at a recent job fair, they haven't a clue what to wear to an interview, either!
Thanks again to you and DW for the input!
I am in the process of updating my resume as well, yours looks good to me but I are a construction worker.
I am having a friend go over my resume with me, a recent graduate as a communications major with an MBA. She was talking about starting a resume service on craigs list. She said she kind of fell into it when she just started helping people with theirs...
I would have to ask her first, but if she is agreeable I will send you her email address if you are interrested. I have no idea what she charges, I do know we talked about customizing each resume for each job/position applied for, so it meant several versions. I think its a great idea, but I apply to various projects.
Yeah, I have a couple of versions myself, depending on whether I'm looking for design or retail.
I'd love to hear from your friend, so please email me her info if she's aggreeable. I have no problem with consultation fees!
Susie,
I have been on the hiring committee for several job competitions in my field, with about 100-300 applicants for each of those jobs. When you have to go through that many resumes, you need to quickly get an idea of a candidate's qualifications, experience, and expectations.
As the person who is looking at a job application, there are two things that i expect: a cover letter and a resume
1. a cover letter to briefly introduces yourself, list the reason for sending your application, and expand on the relevant experience from your resume. The reason for sending your application is obvious...you want a job. But do you want a specific job or any will any job do just to get "your foot in the door" ? Do you want to work part time, full time, evenings, weekends, etc ? You need to realise that the person reading your resume does not know you or know what you want. It's up to you to make it clear. If the job your are seeking does not match the jobs I'm offering, I'll move on to the next person. If I don't know what you want or what you can do, I'll move on to the next person.
2. a resume (1-2 pages in length) which describes your experience and education. Please resist the urge to include your hobbies....nobody really cares at this point :-)
Your resume is fine in terms of length. I agree with the others that the objectives can be removed since they have been included in the cover letter that you are also sending, right ? Bullets are also easier to read so i would use them. You can even elaborate a bit more on your experience, tasks, skills. I would include your job at the realtor's office since it outlines your customer service experience and this might be important for the job you are looking for.
Other skills such as computer or languages skills are important to add. If you speak English and Spanish, I might want to know that. If that's a skill I need but I don't know that you have it, then I'll move on to the next person. I don't have time to guess and if I have others to chose from, then I'll try one of them.
By the way, timing IS everything. Sending your resume just before the employer is going on vacation can result in your application getting filed and never seen of again. Sending it just after the head designer won the lottery could be your lucky day...
Finally, get to know the company you are applying with. Visit their store. Check out their web site. Find out who you should send your resume to. Including bits of information about your future employer in the cover letter shows that you made an effort in getting to know them:
"Dear Mrs Clinton,
I visited your showroom on Antonio Boulevard today and I was quite exited with what i saw. The work that you do is outstanding and i would love to work with a company like yours. I have been working as a kitchen designer for 15 years now and would be interested in joining your company as a vice-president...."
Of course, the trick is to keep your letter honest without any BS or sucking up. You just want to show that you know a little something about the company and that the letter is targeted to them.
Thanks for posting - lots of valuable info for me. It amazes me how much I actually don't know about this process!
in the cover letter that you are also sending, right ?
Yes, I always send a cover letter, and I try to summarize why I'm writing, what the job is, why I want it, why I should have it, etc. I see that I may not be including enough info in some cases. What is the protocol for sending your resume via email reply to some vague entity? Do I just do a sort of cover letter in the email, or is it better to actually send the cover letter as a separate PDF?
Finally, get to know the company you are applying with
If I know where I'll be applying, I always get as much info as I can in order to relate my experience to that company's scope. However, 9 out of 10 times I never know the company. Sometimes it's even difficult to actually know the type of company from their want ad. I don't know if it's just specifically this area or not, but often all that's given is a phone number, email or PO box.
I can handle the phone, as that gives me a chance to make the person really want me to come interview. Emails make me uncertain, and I don't reply to blind ads unless they sound really promising.
In this area there are very few opportunities in kitchen work that aren't exactly the situation I have now or pay so poorly I can make more money working for our local department store. Can't relocate right now, so it's critical to me that I get the best shot at what's out there.
What you said about timing is so true! I got the 2 jobs I liked best by the merest chance; I just happened to hear of one before they got a chance to advertise the opening. The other resulted in prospecting a business contact who told me they were going to pull their ad for lack of response!
Thanks again for all the help!
I noticed that you had "worked with" and similar statements. I was reading a resume book, and they said that it reads like "I was there, but didn't do anything". Instead, replace it with "finished in record time", "saved humongous amounts of money on the project" or the like.
I agree with that. What you wrote is too timid. You come across in your postings as a very accomplished person. Do the same in the resume. Tell us WHAT you actually did, not what you worked upon.
When I was selectively dehired (forced retirement actually), I attended a job seeking group run by the local authorities. There I heard excellent "elevator speeches" and really poor ones. If there is such a resource, I recommend going. It is a combination group therapy and job resource.
Sorry if this is a little disjointed. I have to stay awake to welcome the late arriving daughter.
I share your feelings about the descriptions in the paragraphs. Somehow I can't seem to get the knack of "wordifying" what it is that I can do in an active voice. I've been told I write a good cover letter and a great thank-you; I have to work on translating my ability there into a condensed package.
I promise you that timid is not a description people who know me would use, but your comment made me realize that perhaps what is my natural self-effacement is coming across as wishy-washy. I never seek the spotlight or awards, so it's harder for me to craft those glowing statements of my accomplishments. And lately my confidence has taken a beating, too, and I'm sure that's a factor since the resume info was recently updated.
I will definitely look into any job-seeking help groups; hadn't thought of that, but I'm sure they're out there.
Thanks for your help! Hope the late daughter got home safe, too!
Susie,
I would encourage you to have a nice portfolio setup with your best projects to supplement your resume. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Best of luck
Bruce
Thanks, Bruce.
I have kind of let updating mine slide recently, but I'm working on it now. Since I have been taking my own photos, and I am camera-challenged even with the fully auto digitals, I tend not to want to bother.
Going to work on a friend's ex-photog husband to see if I can enlist his help for a "modest" fee :)
As the thread has grown and I have read more, I agree with the last poster and what he said about not being timid in the resume, and talking about the accomplishments rather than just that you were there.
What katie asked me first was to describe my experience in a "tangible" way. A difficult task but after much thought I approached it by writing a rough first draft just telling the story in a "rambling talk to much kind of way", which I then later re-read and condensed to fit what another poster who was on a hiring committee asked for.
I just wanted to pass along that for me to do that I had to write the long version of the story first, and I will probably rewrite it several more times before I am done.
I think that's a great approach, and I'm going to try it immediately. Maybe if I can write that "tangible" narrative of what I do, it will be easier to condense it into active statements.
Thanks again!
OK, I've tried to keep all your wonderful and helpful suggestions in mind and had help from another BT job seeker, and I've come up with the attached revision.
Again, any suggestions for tweaking the new format or its content is very much appreciated!
The first bullet confused me. I think you are trying to say that you evaluated the feasibility of the project. Or, maybe you were evaluating the scope? Maybe say? qualify clients and evaluate project?
Edited 9/2/2008 3:19 pm by Jim_Allen
page 2 - fix "comuter training" to "computer training"
Thanks - made a minor change in that line and forget to spell check again!!
I read a lot of resumes for a different industry, but can say the ones that catch my eye demonstrate the candidate understands the business and is not just a worker.Contrary to others, I would have a one or two sentence summary of the position to set the stage for the bullets. I would list the accomplishments as a bulleted list beginning each with the business objective you achieved. e.g Increased sales, generated referrals. Multitasking is a skill many claim, but few have. If you do - demonstrate it.If you present yourself as someone who designs, you are a candidate for a designer job. If you show how you delivered designs (as others have said), on time, on budget then you are differentiated from everyday designers.If you further show how you reduced expenses, increased client satisfaction, created repeat business or referrals you show yourself as someone who understands business.
Edited 9/3/2008 7:48 pm ET by peakbagger
If you show how you delivered designs (as others have said), on time, on budget then you are differentiated from everyday designers.
I definitely need to work on creating an impression of me as an above-average designer. I don't think what I'm saying now is getting the point across. I do possess more industry and business knowledge than many other designers in this area, so I need to show that somehow.
Thanks for your input!
Thanks for this thread. I am busy redoing DH's resume.
Now I need to work on a brief cover letter. Did you do one?
How is it going for you?
Thanks to all for the info you have shared here. It's been beneficial to me as well.
"Everyday we learn something new. Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. It doesn't have to be an "A" the next day, but let's hope it improves." 08/27/08
Matt Garcia 1986-2008 22 yo Fairfield City Council Member, shot 09/01/08 RIP
I'm glad to know someone else's getting some benefit. Although I promised myself that I would maintain an up-to-date resume, well, we all know how that goes :)
I do send a cover letter when I send a resume. I think it's the only way you can convey a little of yourself and state your case about why you should have the job, or at least an interview. Based on what the ad says or any other info I've gotten I tie my qualifications to what the position is going to require. Believe me, I have a much easier time expressing myself in a short cover letter than in a resume.
I've actually been looking for something for awhile now, and I can tell you I've had no success with administrative/customer service work or kitchen design. I sent my resume in last week in response to an ad that wanted "inside sales - cabinetry and countertops. Interior design experience a plus!" OK, if that was your ad wouldn't you at least have called me?? I followed up on the resume, so I know it was received, but never got a response.
Be aware that people who place the ads often have a very different interpretation of the job than the person who actually reads the resumes. It's discouraging not to get any response to jobs that you are totally suited for (according to the ad, anyway), but it's been happening to me a lot.
I did get a very nice email from a company headquartered in England, telling me my experience was "impressive", but they had no openings in their local showroom. First time in a long while I've gotten any acknowledgement of what I've sent.
Anyway, I had an interview today with the local Pottery Barn, and that looks promising. Unless I really shine, tho, it's going to be a floating job, with no guaranteed hours and no benefits.
It doesn't show up on the resume I posted here, but I also was a partner in a specialty gift shop for a couple of years (reason 1 why I'm broke today), and I've also done store design. The person who interviewed me today thought the variety of experience I had was a great benefit to any employer. Other people mark it against you if you've done different things.
What field is DH in?
Like others, I like to see tangible examples of success with definative action words:
Completed x project x months ahead of schedule. 125,545 under budget.
I also like to see more "results" instead of "what you did"
So instead of for example "managed a team", I focus on what we accomplished.
I'd changed computer training to "Technology Skills"
Thanks for your thoughts. I am having a really hard time conveying the "success" part, since my customers and I are generally the only witnesses to it.
All employers in kitchen design want people who are successful in sales, but the focus is rarely on how much volume you had, how much you completed or if you were under budget unless your target employer is into builder sales. Then that's all they're interested in. Most everyone else wants to know that you can win your clients, close the sale, design and accurately order a kitchen, and successfully close out the project.
I wish I could translate that a little better into resume-speak.
Also worry about focusing too much on things like sales volume, timely completion, etc. When I started with my previous showroom I was drawing against commission and working there 8-5. My sales were really great the first 5 months. Then we had some internal conflicts, many changes in installers, and one really bad product/install failure. My job status and pay structure changed 4 times over the years I was associated with them, so my actual sales kept fluctuating wildly
I think that's why I focus on skills and experience so much. "Proven record of steady sales and on-time projects" is pretty much a stretch, but good customer relationships and quality design I can do!
I love the idea of the Technology Skills, too!
I read the latest version you posted but only skimmed through the other suggestions so if this is a repeat I apologize. I think you should really have a CD or web link mentioned in the resume of pictures of your projects. Before and after shots would be effective. If you think about it, when presenting options to customers a visual is the best input for decision making and you're prospective employer is now your customer. Show them what you have done. It will also be an example of your technology skills.Good luck!!
Edited 9/3/2008 9:03 am ET by squonk
That is an excellent suggestion.
Unlike most people I don't take or share photos, so it would be a great learning experience for me. I'd been thinking about doing it for customers anyway, so it's a good time to get moving!
Thanks for your good wishes - I'll try to let everyone know how it goes!
congratulations, you have done a nice job of improving your resume. The bulleted points make it more readable.
Some suggestions to take to next level. Add some quantifying information, and descriptive information, e.g.,
#of homes, size of project work on---some sense of scope. If you don't have accurate, estimates work as well. "develop interior design for $______ project"
Give a brief description of business: e.g., "Hughes Corporation, a construction firm with annual sales of $__________"
Keep in mind the resume does not get the job, it only gets you in the door. Once you get the interview you will want to have some "STARs" prepared to tell your story. These are specific measurable stories of achievements in your past. They are assempled as: Situation or TAsks you face, Actions you took and Results, in other words, prepare stories to tell in the interviews. Interviews now tend to ask questions like, "tell us about a time when you had to work with a difficult customer on a budget that was impossible to keep.." This is called behaviorially based interviewing (google "STAR job interview"). Presumption is that past behavior predicts future performance.
Hope this is helpful,
kind regards, Cliff
Thanks, Cliff! I was pretty pleased with the new format, but I also think it's in a very passive voice and shouldn't be. I'm still trying to work that out so that more of my accomplishments can be shown.
Thanks also for the STAR tip. I've been asked in some interviews to illustrate a problem I solved or an example of how I dealt with a difficult situation. I think I have some good examples and explain them well, but a little research may point out some better technique.
Your info was very valuable, so post anytime you have a suggestion.
When I've fine-tuned this latest resume, I'll be posting it again!
Hi Susie,
Been away, but in reading the other posts, some very good advice has been given. I hire for our company in a different field, but what I look for in a resume is more of a skills based resume than a historical listing of jobs & duties. (yes, lose the objective - useless) I prefer a profile of your personality - energetic, work ethic, sense of humor etc. Be prepared to support these in your interview by the way you present yourself.
Highlite your transferable skills - communicating, organizing, liason, creativity, being able to intuit what the client is wanting - making their dream kitchens come alive. Are you detail oriented? etc etc. Match this with examples of your design success (the portfolio of pics is a good suggestion)
I also look for attitude & coach ability & reliability. I will take good attitude & coach abiltiy, willingness to learn over experience any day.
From reading your resume, from an employers point of view, I would be concerned that you wouldn't stay long and I would be rehiring /training again. You didn't say if the opportunities are full time or part time, but ... many employers do not want to hire someone whose focus is on something else (your showroom) and will be gone as soon as your husband is well, or your showroom picks up. This will be your challenge.
I would also suggest that you be prepared to answer some tough questions - such as why you feel you have not been successful on your own (and try not to use excuses such as the economy) I think you were honest in saying you suck at marketing etc. Say that. Acknowledge your weakness, but play to your strengths
Good luck Susie!
Thanks for your input. Don't know if you've seen my last post with a revised resume, which probably addresses some of the things you've mentioned.
In looking over this new version, I think I take your point about someone worrying that I wouldn't stay long. That concerns me, because I don't want someone thinking that I job-hop or that what I really want is my own business/showroom. Maybe if I give you some background info you could suggest ways to avoid giving that impression.
As far as going back to work for my current showroom, say, and leaving a job when my husband gets better, that's about as far away from my intention as it gets. I have only been on my own because I've been unable to find a job close to my field of work. I hate being on my own, I hate marketing, I hate worrying about health insurance, taxes....you name it, if it has to do with running a business or working freelance, I hate it. I've had to do it; I don't want to anymore. I will change fields if the only other option is going on as I do now.
I want a potential employer to see that it's critical to me to keep a position that will afford me opportunities for a steady income. My husband, while not terminally ill, is not going to get better. It's up to me to provide income and insurance. However, I don't want someone thinking that my husband's health is going to prevent me from working or staying focused on my job.
I'm also a little concerned that the time I spent at the real estate company is seen as a change in employment. If you don't catch the dates, it probably seems that way. That job started part time and became full time, and for the months listed I was working both there and maintaining my kitchen design work. I've even considered dropping that reference entirely for my design resume, since it was a job I took to have money coming in steadily. Like to know your opinion on that.
My design consultation business was much the same situation as now, and I was laid off from the job for the architectural firm, and the position was eliminated. Not much I can do about that last one. I did quit the HD job out of sheer frustration, and I have also considered omitting that on the resume. When someone asks why I left, I have my interview-correct answers, but I'm always certain the interviewer can see the hairs stand up on the back of my neck as I recite them:)
I know some questions employers have can be better handled in an interview, but I sure don't want to give a negative impression on a resume that's my first introduction. If you can suggest changes that would avoid that, it would help me a lot.
Just read the updated resume - it is much better. Good work! Together with a good cover, perhaps with that you are really interested in satisfying, fulfilling, long term postion.
In any interview, IMO, the best answers to questions are not what you think they want to hear, but what you really think & feel. Be nothing but yourself - if the fit is right it will work out. Not knowing what these opportunities are (big company, mid / small?) but, I can say the smaller the company the more personalities play into it. Remember, you are interviewing them as your potential employer. If their values & direction don't fit with you, then it will not work out long term anyways. I love it when an candidate asks questions about us, our operation etc. (goes without saying politely, respectfully ask). Remember, unless they are professional human resource peope, they are most likely just a nervous as you.
Best of luck, keep us posted.
Thanks so much for the second look. I am also much happier with this format since it seems more current, and it's surely easier to read.
I make it a rule to be myself when I talk with possible employers, so no problem there. You're so right about having a good fit. I'm very particular about good design, quality product, and customer service, and I want the company I work for to share that philosophy. Haven't always had that in the past, and those jobs didn't work out.
I'll definitely post any results, or lack thereof, I guess, in this thread.
I'm really excited about my new "look", and I'm ready to knock 'em dead!
susie......i don't think you should post that kind of personal information in your resume' on the internet
i'd go back and edit that resume' with some blackout...Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Imagine yourself as a busy owner/manager looking at resumes. You don't have a lot of time to read resumes, so the best format is one that is concise and easy to refer back to or compare with others.
* Several people mentioned bullet points - Each one should be no more than two lines.
* Use a clean 12-point font for easy readability.
* Limit yourself to 5 or 6 good bullet point items.
* Each one should state an accomplishment and result that gives the prospective employer a reason to want to hire you. something like this:
* "Designed kitchens for mid-market builder, showing home buyers the value of better quality components, increasing average project profits by 15%."
* "Worked with such-and-so design software, reducing design time, resulting in quicker proposal turn-around times and increased sales."
BruceT
Edited 9/3/2008 6:53 pm by brucet9
I agree with that idea. Get a lot of information right up there at the top. If that info fits what I'm looking for, I'm willing to invest five more minutes of fine print reading. I skim resumes with horror in my heart. I dread trudging through them because most of them are selfserving nonsense loaded with bad grammar and spelling lol! Six strong bullets with easy to read font would scream to me "this person gets it!".
selfserving nonsense loaded with bad grammar and spelling
Some of the samples I found on the web were that way; pretty much just a load bs turned into "resume-speak".
I was amazed at the number of grammatical errors I saw, not to mention spelling. Oh, and I especially love the "wordification" designed to impress the reader.
So I'm going to work on those bullet lines and see what I can come up with so that an employer puts my resume on top!
I think you're right about the number of bullet points. I think I need to condense those under kitchen design and change the focus a bit. Looking at what I have in light of your comments, that list says nothing of particular interest about me.
Thanks for the reminder; I do plan to change the font to a sans serif style that will have a crisper appearance.
I appreciate your comments and your time!
Hi Susie -
Good luck with your job search. I know how hard that can be.
I read many but not all of the reponses, so this may already have been mentioned... I think the biggest thing I see with your resume is that you describe yourself in terms of functions performed rather than in tems of achievements. Its up to you to determine what are the biggest achievements you have to share, but as one who has reviewed a fair number of resumes, i will tell you tell its the best way to make a resume stand out.
For instance you say “Work with clients on both new construction and remodeling projects providing design,…â€. The question you must answer is: How does that benefit your prospective employer? Were you an efficient designer? How many clients could you handle per week/month/year? How much money did you save them? What were your sales amounts? Did you work with 10 clients a year or 100? What was the dollar value of the construction activity? Were you able to establish repeat customers? How about referrals?
From what you write, it is clear to me that you have experience in the field. If you add the information I suggest, you will also make it clear to me that you are good at what you do (which is far more important!).
You've made some very good points. I've been trying to reconstruct the projects I did when I first started with my previous showroom in order to illustrate just the things you mention. I sold a lot of projects in the first 13 months I worked there, and I can at least get an average sales figure. The actual amounts are too far back in the mental archives! Plus, I don't have access to the account info any longer.
The referral and repeat customer is somewhat problematic, tho I did have both during that time period. It would take too long to explain the ins and outs, but there were problems with installation issues and my actual status at the showroom that pretty much killed my referrals for some time. I'm trying to concentrate on the good stuff while being prepared to discuss the problem areas at the interview.
I'll keep working on it. I really do want people to know that, supported by a good showroom and installer, I'm capable of making as many sales as they'd like. And, I am an excellent designer. Right now I agree that nothing sings out from the resume as is.
Thanks very much for your input!
I just went through the process of rewriting my resume and I would strongly suggest purchasing and reading "Resumes That Knock 'em Dead" by Martin Yate, C.P.C.
This book gives a lot of good advice and a variety of resume examples.
People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing - Dale Carnegie
Thanks for the tip. I'm always looking for any guides I can find, so I'll look this one up.
Are you currently looking for work, too?
I am keeping my options open and seeing what is out there.
The company I am currently working with is going through a huge re-org and everyone is wondering when we our department will get affected next. This is what spurred the update of my resume. I would rather be prepared and it also gave me time to think about my resume instead of throwing it together at the last minute.
People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing - Dale Carnegie
Guess we're both trying to do the same thing - keep our options open to whatever's available. My "wish list" for the next job is geared more toward stable income, benefits and opportunity to earn more than it is toward any particular field. I actually think my options for employment in kitchen design in this area are just about exhausted. My desire to keep working in design is easily outweighed by the necessity of having a decent income for my husband and myself.
Good luck with your search, if it comes to that. I found an opening for showroom consultant for a tile company and am waiting to hear back from the employment agency for an interview with their rep. Haven't really worked with an agency before, but it might be a good thing to try.
"keep our options open to whatever's available. "I think that is a bad strategy in many cases.
Yeah, Jim, I have to agree that sometimes it is, but I don't have a lot of choices right now. Unless you live in a bigger city, opportunities in design are always limited. I'd like to stay in design, but it just may not be possible in this area or this state, and we can't relocate right now. And, since I have at least 2 bills I can't pay this month, I need to take whatever comes up first.
Right now I feel like I'm living in a box - too many limitations on what I can actually do. If I decide to take a job outside design, then I'm pretty sure that's it for any aspirations I have for that field. I have around 12 more years if I work to 70, and I can't keep screwing around in a field that isn't going to pay decently or offset low wages with better benefits.
However, my best friend came up with another lead in interior design, and since 2 people are leaving I may stand a chance there. It's for one of the gov't contractors here, so it would mean decent income and benefits and I could stay until retirement. You never know about these jobs, tho. Sometimes they're required to advertise and interview, but the positions are often already filled, and it's just going through the motions!
Anyway, sorry to belabor this. Hold a good thought for me!
"However, my best friend came up with another lead in interior design, and since 2 people are leaving I may stand a chance there."Re-write your resume to fit that exact job.
Sure will.
I actually have a kitchen design, interior design and a retail resume. As soon as I find out what the job requirements are I'll be able to tailor my ID resume to emphasize what they want.
My friend is in furniture sales, and her contact is actually one of the designer's that's leaving, so I should get some good info. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I at least get an interview!
Thanks for this thread - a lot of good info here.I took a class and the teacher said "I want you guys to be able to go on a job interview and be able to sit down across the table from an employer and have an intelligent conversation"I try to look at it that way.Something else, If I have a job interview, I try to tell myself that I will be sitting across the table from someone who has a lot of the same interests and background as I do.You are applying for a job with another individual you already have a lot in common with.As you talk to them, both of you start seeing similarities and how their background is similar to yours.For example, "I got started in this field in the 1980's and we didn't have computers back then""Things have really changed since I learned to do _______ on the computer"You may walk into the interview and during your conversation you may be able to teach them something "you've learned the hard way" and in the end, the employer benefits from having the interview with you.This interaction comes from talking about your experiences and things you've learned (rather than just answering questions with cliches such as "I'm a people person" or "I'm a multi tasker" etc etcGood luck!
Sorry I missed your post somehow until today.
What you said is exactly right - you can't just go on about your qualifications, etc., without having made some person-to-person connection first. Generally we're all interviewing with people we already have things in common with, so it shouldn't be hard.
In that respect I'm lucky. I once had a 3-hour conversation with a total stranger on an airplane covering just about everything you can imagine. People will come up to me in supermarkets and start conversations that can go on and on- I have one of those approachable faces, I guess.
I always do well in interviews - I just need to work on getting more!
And, yes, there's been lots of valuable info in these posts. Input from those who actually interview and hire is wonderful to have. I'm hoping I can successfully incorporate their suggestions into a final product.
Thanks, also, for your post!
I wanted to throw out a couple of other thingsI've got a book on tape that tells you how to land a job.You evaluate yourself in these areas:*Passion for the Business*Skills & Experience*Professionalism*Creativity*Leadership*Problem Solving Ability*Accomplishments*Career AspirationsYou evaluate yourself and gather information about what you've got to offer and you develop your "presentation" these are things you address in your cover letter, resume, and job interviewThen you're able to cite specific examples when you talk about your creativity or professionalism when you talk about some of your real life experienceGood luck!
Thanks - that's going to be very helpful for me when interviewing. Funny how we can sometimes forget we need to convey our passion and our plans to potential employers.
I've taken what I wrote to maverick in 109165.53 and tried to translate it into "bullet speak" for what I hope is nearly the last version! I should be posting it a bit later today.
OK, guys, let's hope this is really it!
I took what I wrote to maverick (109165.53), digested it a bit and tried to translate it to fit the bullet paragraphs on the attached resume.
It may break every rule of resume presentation, but it's the closest thing to who I am as a designer and what makes me a better one than I've come up with so far.
Also, I eliminated the real estate experience. Since it was something I did for extra money while doing kitchen work, there's no gap. And I truly don't think anyone in kitchen design/design is going to give a flip. It makes it look as though there was a break in my kitchen work, and it's distracting attention unneccessarily.
I spiffed up the HD section, and I put more emphasis on the kitchen work I did when I had my own design business. I actually remembered I did an entire showroom for a client - Lord knows what else I've forgotten from that far back!
So, if you were a potential employer, what would you think??
Suziekitchen:
As long as you are concentrating on a kitchen design job, your resume is really good now.
But, if you are looking for jobs outside this area, you [loud groan needed] must have another resume. This one needs to emphasize your general skills. And, a resume does NOT have to account for every job in calendar order. I am sure you have had your fill of resume books, so you must know about what I am speaking.
A general skills resume is really important when looking to change fields. It will show what skills you have learned, and will also indicate your ability to learn new skills at your new job.
I've been doing a lot of groaning over several resumes lately! You're right in that one just will not do it, much as we'd all like to think so.
It's pretty obvious that I'm not going to be able to get anything in the way of an administrative position, so I've just taken the reference to data entry out of all of them. There are too many others looking for those, and they pay pitifully in this area.
I actually do have a functional/skills resume now for commercial design positions so that I can show my relevant experience first and my not so relevant kitchen experience later in the format. I have a similar one for retail work. It starts with a profile of general experience, then lists work experience that can be "tarted up" to stress accomplishments. I just sent that one to a firm whose 2 designers are leaving soon. Be interesting to see what response it gets.
Biggest problem now is finding out exactly who is looking - most of what I find are blind ads. You know, "Please fax resume....." Does it not occur to these people that not every wants to send their personal info to any tom, dick and harry???
Anyway, I digress...thanks very much for your input. Without the posts and help I've been receiving from the forum, I don't think I could have kept my spirits up!
jenny.....susie needs a good phtographer to build her portfolioMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I've got my equipment ready! I just need to know a location, date and time. Thanks for the plug-in:)People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing - Dale Carnegie
Susie
do you want a job or do you want a resume? and do you want a creative position or do you want a designer to hand you the layout for you to render and order?
to obtain a creative position in an industry that survives based on their level of talent you need to showcase those talents with a porfolio and letters from satisfied clients.
the resume does not do that. the only thing I got from any version of those resumes is that you've bounced around a bit tipping a toe in the industry. there is nothing that jumps out and asserts your stellar creativity and your enthusiastic work ethic
there are a lot of people out there who could template your resume but frankly are not very good at interior design. most of them are working at the big box stores or have been there. I would almost be inclined to not mention that fact.
you need to distance yourself from the pack. package yourself as excited about becoming part of a team and eager to showcase your many attributes
its not unusal in any creative and artistic field to have a nicely packaged portfolio. when you drop it off make araingements to pick it back up which automatically gets you that crucial 2nd meeting
good luck
I like a lot of what you said, maverick. For you and all the other posters who've been providing me with such good info, I'm directing the reply to "all" even though the reply is to you. I sure don't want to dump all this info on you alone!
What I want is a creative position with lots of customer interaction with a salary or salary w/ a commission or bonus structure. I want someone else to worry about marketing and advertising and paying the bills.
I have to tell you that the reason I'm having such a hard time with this resume thing is that so much of what I see in examples I've found for various resumes online is pretty much the same bs over and over. Buzz words and catch phrases that you could apply to anyone - just as you said.
So, here's my capsule version of why I'm better than lots of other folks out there and what I want from an employer:
You bring me a potential lead for a product I have, I'll qualify them and deliver you a sold client 8 out of 10 times - even if they get other quotes. I can do this because very few people in the industry have the product knowledge, the ability to make the client understand how that knowledge is relevant to them, and the intense interest in satisfying the client that I do. I am a very good communicator.
If my potential clients go elsewhere, then the elsewhere had better be prepared to provide them the same level of information, design ability, attention to detail and willingness to put them first. Very few will, and so the clients come back to me, even if I'm not the cheapest.
When the project is complete, the client is going to love it. It will be what the client wanted, it will be beautiful, it will function, and there will be none of the stuck-on excesses so typical of "decorator" kitchens. You'll be able to put the pictures in the showroom or trade magazine and be proud of them. They will let people know your firm does quality work in all styles.
What I expect is simple. I want an attractive up-to-date showroom to work in with the proper samples and literature available. I want an installer capable of doing first quality work. If he/she doesn't deliver that, I expect you to correct that situation. I will not hound people to do their job correctly. I need quality products from resources who will respond properly to questions, complaints and problems.
I need to be compensated in accordance with my ability and experience. I will work to my fullest to ensure that we both benefit from it. You tell me your sales goal, be willing to help me achieve it, and I don't think we can fail.
....so there it is entirely.
Why the he## am I trying to put my value into "Generated $###K worth of business in 12 months" or "Delivered ##projects yearly on tme and under budget"??? Anyone, including me, can make that type of claim. Lots of real sob's with practically no industry knowledge out there can make the same claim. Believe me, I've met a few.
I started working in design in 1980. I don't say that often because the average employer starts adding up years very quickly. So I'm not 37 or 47, I'm 57, and that's not something potential employers want to accept.
I started as kitchen designer, got scared off of the sales aspect by a truly terrible manager, went into interior design and have stayed there. I have always done kitchen design for people, have always kept up with current trends, and have always worked to increase my knowledge of cabinetry. There's been no toe-dipping in my career; I've just worked in various areas of design over the years. I happen to want to concentrate on my first love, kitchen design.
I've been editing and re-editing the bullets, and I haven't found the magic phrases to convey my abilities yet. Still working on it, and still very willing to have any input!
I like Maverick suggestion to bring in a full portfolio, then ask for a time to pick it up. In sales, this is called the takeaway...a very powerful force.
I thought that was a good idea, too. Didn't know what it was called.
Now if I can just get an interview!
Actually I'm about to become pretty agressive. If I can find out who the company with the position is, I'm not emailing or faxing diddly. I'm delivering it to them with the portfolio and my smiling face and positive attitude.
Some may not like it, but they'll have to deal with it. It may make some take a second look.
Being aggressive is good. I've said no to some people ten times before I interviewed them in person. I think I still said no.
susie.... i just found this thread.....so late to the party...
anyways...i'll respond BEFORE i read the others so it will be my first impression
hope you've already resolved your employment... but here goes
<<<
Multi-discipline kitchen and bath designer with over 15 years’ design experience seeking position in kitchen showroom featuring semi-custom and custom cabinetry. >>>>>
to me...... i have no idea what this means"multi-discipline"
....seeking employment in design & sales.....
the software portion seems a little sparse, the 20-20 is fine and of course, absolutely neccessary....
i think you should "familiarize" yourself with Chief, Softplan, and Vectorworks.....so you can say "familiar with "
you want any company working with those to keep you on their radar, and not dismiss you out of hand
also
i think you can edit your resume' to one page... and have more detail available for those who request it
and.....pictures are worth a thousand words... you are a designer....get some graphics in there
Edited 9/14/2008 4:58 pm ET by MikeSmith
Hey, Mike, better late than never!!
There's a lot of good info in the posts, so do look them over if you have a chance. You'll find some revised resumes I've posted in there also.
Kitchen folks generally stay within 20-20, PlanitFusion and a few others. However, if you're interviewing with a remodeler or cabinet maker, they can use a variety of software. I've been trying to get some experience with some of the programs you've mentioned because I may not be working for a kitchen dealer.
I'm actually going to keep the 2 pages for now, but edit it down a bit.
As for graphics, I will think about that, but it makes me uncomfortable having them on a resume. Doesn't mean I can't incorporate them into my portfolio, however.
i did read them all.....
when i'm working with our lumberyard kitchen designer, she always works in 20-20
i send all my kitchen customers to her...
but after she has the design & specs...i redraw in Chief...that way i can correctly integrate exact window & trim details....and electrical....
also the renderings she can do in 20-20 look amaturish compared to what Chief can do...
we both take lot's of before/after pics...so her portfolio is goodMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Have to agree the 20-20 renderings aren't as WOW as others I've seen. My clients are just so happy to get a 3-d interpretation they probably don't care.
Right now all they get is 2-D since I no longer have a 20-20 key - way too expensive for a freelancer! And it really is a very poor tool when it comes to the items you mentioned like windows and doors. They still have a long way to go with the program.
I'll investigate the Chief further; sounds like it could be very useful.